Wire termination device

ABSTRACT

A wire termination device for terminating insulated wires using insulation displacement contacts. The device may employ a pivotally mounted lever with a curved slot for receiving a pin or may employ a pivotally mounted rocker arm, movement of the lever and rocker arm effecting termination of the insulated wire by forcing the wire into engagement with the insulation displacement contact.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/576,398 filed Dec. 21,1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,136, which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 08/245,974, filed May 19, 1994, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to telephone network interface apparatusand to modular devices for interconnecting telephone company ("telco")wiring and subscriber telephone wiring. In particular, the inventionrelates to a modular device having a replaceable protection unit withovervoltage protection and/or an transient protection and a replaceableelectronics unit with a maintenance termination unit and/or a halfringer. The protection and electronics units may be integrated to form asingle replaceable protection/electronics unit. The modular device mayalso have a plug-actuated switchable socket or a switch connected to anexternal socket for providing a point of demarcation between the telcowiring and the subscriber wiring such that an operating telephone can beplugged into the socket to determine whether a fault exists in the telcoequipment or the subscriber premises. In addition, the modular devicemay have tool-less wire termination mechanisms for terminating andunterminating the telco and subscriber wiring at the modular networkinterface device without the use of tools.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Telephone subscribers may purchase and install their own telephoneequipment and related appliances. Those subscribers are responsible forthe proper operation of their equipment and the telephone company isresponsible for service only up to the juncture between the telco wiringand the subscriber wiring. Thus, it is desirable to provide a telephonenetwork interface apparatus which allows connection and disconnection ofsubscriber wiring from telco wiring so that the subscriber can readilyisolate problems to the telco or subscriber equipment.

Modular devices are now available for use in telephone network interfaceapparatus that permit connecting and disconnecting the subscriber andtelco wiring. Typical in the art are the modular devices shown in U.S.Pat. No. 4,979,209 issued to Thomas J. Collins et al. on Dec. 18, 1990,U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,910 issued to N. Peter Mickelson et al. on Oct. 6,1992, U.S. Pat. No. 5,291,553 issued to Thomas J. Smith on Mar. 1, 1994and U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,199 issued to Thomas G. Graham et al. on Mar.22, 1994. There remains, however, a need in the art for easilyinstallable modular devices having low cost and maintenance andincreased functionality and reliability.

The Collins et al., Mickelson et al. and Graham et al. patents disclosemodular devices having an RJ-11 telephone plug connected to thesubscriber wiring and an RJ-11 telephone socket connected to the telcowiring to form a series electrical connection between the telco andsubscriber wiring. When the plug is removed from the socket, thesubscriber wires are disconnected from the telco wires and thesubscriber may plug an operating telephone into the socket to determinewhether a fault exists with the telco or subscriber equipment. TheMickelson et al. patent discloses a protective element and a testcircuit as permanent parts of the modular device. The Collins et al. andGraham et al. patents disclose an internal space in the modular devicefor a telephone circuit. The Collins et al. patent further disclosesovervoltage protection devices separate from the modular devices. TheCollins et al., Mickelson et al. and Graham et al. patents discloseconnecting the subscriber wires and the telco wires using screws and/ornuts.

The Smith patent discloses a modular device with a special, normallyconducting RJ-11 socket to connect the telco and subscriber wiring. Thisspecial socket is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,123 issued to C.Kevin Silver on Jul. 9, 1991. When a telephone is plugged into thesocket, the subscriber lines are disconnected from the telco lines andthe telephone is connected to the telco lines through the contacts inthe socket. As an alternative embodiment, the Smith patent discloses aconventional RJ-11 socket and a conductive cap member to complete thecircuit between the telco and subscriber wiring. When the cap member isremoved from the socket, the subscriber wires are disconnected from thetelco wires and a telephone can be plugged into the socket to determinethe location of the fault. The Smith patent further discloses anovervoltage protection device and a specific terminating impedance forthe telco wires as a permanent part of the modular device. Finally, theSmith patent discloses connecting the subscriber wires to terminalsusing screws and connecting the telco wires to terminals using nuts.

The prior art also discloses that telco and subscriber wires may beterminated using insulation displacement contacts. U.S. Pat. No.5,153,911 issued to Thomas J. Smith on Oct. 6, 1992 discloses aweatherproof telephone terminal apparatus which employs a bolt which isturned to drive two mating parts together to force wires into slots inthe insulation displacement contacts. U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,311 issued toCharles Tanzola on Jan. 9, 1991 shows a similar termination method. U.S.Pat. No. 5,273,449 issued to John S. Mattis et al. on Dec. 28, 1993shows a method for attaching telephone "drop wires" to a plug in whichwires are inserted into the plug and a cover is snapped shut, drivingthe wires into slots in the insulation displacement contacts. The Mattiset al. patent also discloses using a reenterable gel material inconnection with the insulation displacement contacts.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,638 issued to Paul C. Dondero on Aug. 10, 1993discloses a telephone network interface apparatus having separate telcoand subscriber compartments. The subscriber compartment contains sets ofmodular devices while the telco compartment has sockets for receivingplug-in overvoltage protection modules and plug-in electronics moduleswhich form side-by-side protector and electronics fields. U.S. Pat. No.5,025,345 issued to Robert J. Marks on Jun. 18, 1991 discloses anovervoltage protection module with an integral 5-pin plug for use in aprotection field. U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,662 issued to George A. DeBalko etal. on Dec. 29, 1992 discloses a module with an integral 5-pin plugwhich includes both overvoltage protection and a maintenance terminationunit. U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,994 issued to Lou Suffi on Nov. 9, 1993discloses a modular maintenance termination unit with a 5-pin plug whichcontains, as part of the module, a telephone socket and a telephoneplug.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 1,303,383 issued to Ralph W. Osborne on May 13,1919 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,212 issued to Donald W. Moses et al. onFeb. 21, 1984 disclose the use of inductances in series with telcolines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of the priorart network interface devices as exemplified by the various patentsalready discussed.

In one embodiment of the present invention the modular device contains areplaceable protection and/or electronics unit. The replaceable unit mayinclude an overvoltage protection device in the form of a gas tube, atransient protection device in the form of a series inductances, amaintenance termination unit or a ringer simulator (half ringer).Although the prior art discloses replaceable protection and/orelectronics units, they are not shown as part of the modular device.Similarly, although the prior art discloses modular devices having bothline termination impedance circuitry and overvoltage protection devices,they were a permanent part of the module such that, in the event of aproblem with the overvoltage protection device or the line terminationimpedance circuitry, the entire module would have to be replaced. Thepresent invention provides a modular device with a replaceableprotection and/or electronics unit. Moreover, the present inventionpermits using various different protection and/or electronics units inthe same modular device in response to changing needs of the telephonecompany or the subscriber.

In the prior art modular devices the telco and subscriber wires wereconnected together through the contacts in RJ-11 plugs and sockets. Thecontacts in RJ-11 plugs and sockets are relatively small gauge,typically 24 AWG or 25 AWG. Such small gauge contacts have limitedcurrent carrying capacity. The present invention eliminates the use ofsuch small gauge contacts from the series connection between the telcoand subscriber wires, thereby increasing the reliability of the networkinterface device. The present invention does so by connecting the telcoand subscriber wires through a switch located on the modular devicewhich can take the form of a plug-actuated switchable socket or amomentary contact switch. The switch contacts are at least about 20 AWGand preferably at least about 18 AWG equivalent. The contacts which matewith the plug are only connected to the telco lines when the plug isinserted in the socket and, therefore, may be smaller gauge such as 24AWG or 25 AWG. Thus, while the present invention increases thereliability of the telephone network interface apparatus, it stillprovides a point of demarcation between the telco and subscriberequipment so that a subscriber can determine whether a fault exists inthe telco or subscriber equipment.

The present invention provides for terminating and unterminating thesubscriber wires and the telco wires at the modular device using aminimal amount of force and without the need for tools such asscrewdrivers, pliers, crescent wrenches or nut drivers. In the presentinvention, smaller gauge wires, such as the 24 AWG or 22 AWG wirestypical of subscriber wiring, may be terminated using a rocker armtermination mechanism to drive the wires into slots in insulationdisplacement contacts. Rocker arms may be used because a large amount offorce is not required to effect the termination of such smaller gaugewires. Also, the rocker arm mechanism permits unterminating the wireswithout the use of tools.

Telco wires are frequently 18 AWG copper clad steel wires. Rocker arms,while suitable for terminating smaller gauge wires using insulationdisplacement contacts, may not be suitable for terminating such largergauge wires because of the additional force required. In the presentinvention, a lever and cam mechanism provides the additional forcerequired to drive the larger gauge wires into slots in insulationdisplacement contacts. The cam provides a mechanical advantage whichpermits the use of a small lever arm while, at the same time, providingthe required force. The small lever arm is particularly advantageousbecause the enclosures containing the modular devices frequently aresmall and crowded. In addition, the larger gauge wires can beunterminated by merely lifting up on the lever arm without the use oftools because the force required to make the termination is not uniformthroughout the travel of the lever arm, the force needed near the end ofthe termination process being considerably less than the force needed inthe middle of the termination process.

The present invention also provides for individual subscriber securitycovers which limit access to the subscriber portion of the modulardevice. The security covers may be hinged to the modular device or mayhave projections which ride in channels on the telco cover such thattelco employees can gain access to the subscriber portion of the modulardevices,

The foregoing and other advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the preferred embodimentwhich are intended to illustrate but not limit the invention,

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a telephone network interface apparatus with thesubscriber cover in a closed position.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the telephone network interface apparatus ofFIG, 1 with the subscriber cover in an open position such that thesubscriber compartment and the subscriber portions of the modulardevices are visible.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the telephone network interface apparatus ofFIG. 1 with the subscriber cover in the open position such that thesubscriber compartment and the subscriber portions of the modulardevices are visible,

FIG. 4 is a top view of the telephone network interface apparatus ofFIG. 1 with the subscriber and telco covers both in open positions suchthat the subscriber and telco compartments and the subscriber and telcoportions of the modular devices are visible.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the telephone network interface apparatus withthe subscriber and telco covers both in open positions such that thesubscriber and telco compartments and the subscriber and telco portionsof the modular devices are visible.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the modular device showing areplaceable protection/electronics unit.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an embodiment of the modular device.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of an embodiment of the modular device.

FIG. 9 Is top view of an embodiment of the modular device.

FIG. 10 Is a perspective view of an embodiment of the modular device.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the modular device and the replaceableprotection/electronics unit.

FIG. 12 is a side view of an embodiment of the modular device in apartial cross-section.

FIG. 13 is another side view of an embodiment of the modular device inpartial cross-section.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the switchable RJ-11 type socket.

FIG. 15 is another cross-sectional view of the switchable RJ-11 typesocket.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the switchable RJ-11 type socketwith an RJ-11 plug inserted therein.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of one set of contacts in the switchableRJ-11 type socket showing the connection of the telco and customercontacts.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of one set of contacts in the RJ-11 typeswitchable socket showing the connection of the telco and test contacts.

FIGS. 19 is a perspective view of a rocker arm wire terminationmechanism.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the rocker arm termination mechanism showingthe rocker arm termination mechanism in the open position.

FIG. 21 is a side view of the rocker arm termination mechanism showingthe rocker arm termination mechanism in the closed position.

FIG. 22 is a front view of the rocker arm termination mechanism.

FIG. 23 is a front view of a portion of the modular device showinghardware for mounting the rocker arm termination mechanism.

FIG. 24 is a top view of a portion of the modular device showinghardware for mounting the rocker arm termination mechanism.

FIG. 25 is two perspective views of a cam actuated wire terminationmechanism.

FIG. 26 is a side view of a lever for use in the cam actuated wiretermination mechanism.

FIG. 27 is a front view of a main body portion for use in the camactuated wire termination mechanism.

FIG. 28 is cross-sectional view of the main body portion for use in thecam actuated wire termination mechanism.

FIG. 29 is a side view of a portion of the modular device showingmounting hardware for the cam actuated wire termination mechanism.

FIG. 30 is a front view of a portion of the modular device showingmounting hardware for a cam actuated wire termination mechanism.

FIGS. 31, 32, 33 and 34 are side views of the cam actuated wiretermination mechanism.

FIG. 35 is a top view of an individual security cover for the modulardevice.

FIG. 36 is a side view of the individual security cover for the modulardevice.

FIG. 37 is a front view of the individual security cover for the modulardevice.

FIG. 38 is a top view of another embodiment of the telephone networkinterface apparatus with the subscriber cover in an open position suchthat the subscriber compartment and the subscriber portions of themodular devices are visible.

FIG. 39 is a top view of another embodiment of the telephone networkinterface apparatus with the subscriber and telco covers both in openpositions such that the subscriber and telco compartments and thesubscriber and telco portions of the modular devices are visible.

FIG. 40 is a side view of another embodiment of the telephone networkinterface apparatus with the subscriber and telco covers both in openpositions such that the subscriber and telco compartments and thesubscriber and telco portions of the modular devices are visible.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the modulardevice.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the modulardevice.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures, and in particular FIGS. 1-5, there is shown atelephone network interface apparatus 10 according to the principles ofthe present invention. The telephone network interface apparatus 10includes a subscriber cover 12, a telco cover 14, a base 16 and modulardevices 18 and 20. The subscriber cover 12 and telco cover 14 areattached by hinges 22 to the base 16 of the telephone network interfaceapparatus

The subscriber cover 12 is secured in a closed position by conventionalfastener 24 as shown in FIG. 1. Upon removing fastener 24, thesubscriber cover can be rotated to an open position. When the subscribercover 12 is open, as shown in FIG. 2, the subscriber compartment and thesubscriber portions of modular devices 18 and 20 are visible.

The telco cover 14 is secured in a closed position by fastener 26. Whenthe subscriber cover 12 is in the open position, fastener 26 can beremoved and the telco cover can be rotated to an open position. Fastener26 is not easily removed by a subscriber because it requires a specialtool. When the subscriber and telco covers are both in the openposition, as shown in FIG. 4, the subscriber and telco compartments andthe subscriber and telco portions of the modular devices 18 and 20 arevisible.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the telephone network interface apparatus10 has openings 28 for subscriber and telco wiring. The openings 28 maybe provided with grommets 30 and covered with downwardly extendingprotective cover members 32 for covering the subscriber and telcowiring. As would be understood by a person skilled in the art, thetelephone network interface apparatus may be provided with other meansfor weatherproofing, for example, sealed electrical connections and/orgels. Also, the telephone network interface apparatus 10 has mountingbrackets 34 formed integrally with the base 16.

The telephone network interface apparatus 10 includes removably mountedmodular devices 18 and 20. Modular devices 18 may be used to connecttelco and subscriber wiring in the form of coaxial cable or fiber opticcable while modular devices 20 may be used to connect conventionalinsulated telco and subscriber wiring.

When the telephone network interface apparatus is used to connectcoaxial cable or fiber optic cable, it is highly desirable to employbend radius control. A bend radius control guide 36 is shown molded intothe base 16 of the telephone network interface apparatus 10 to ensurethat the bend radius of the cable is not less than about 1.5 inches.Other types of bend radius control devices such as brackets or clampscould also be employed. As shown in FIG. 4, coaxial cable or fiber opticcable may be directly connected at the telephone network interfaceapparatus using a "bulkhead-type" connection 19 or may be connectedthrough modular device 18.

The telephone network interface apparatus shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 isdesigned to contain up to six modular devices. As would be understood bya person of ordinary skill in the art, the telephone network interfaceapparatus may be designed to contain more or less than the six modulardevices shown.

The general structure of a modular device 20 for connecting conventionalinsulated telco and subscriber wiring may be understood by reference toFIGS. 3-10 and by particular reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 10. Device 20includes a housing 38, a replaceable protection and/or electronics unit40, a pair of rocker arm termination mechanisms 42 and a cam actuatedtermination mechanism 44. The housing 38 is generally rectangular andincludes an opening 46 for receiving the replaceable protection and/orelectronics unit 40. The pair of rocker arm termination mechanisms 42and the cam actuated termination mechanism 44 are mounted on oppositeends of modular device 20. Termination mechanism 44,protection/electronics unit 40, and termination mechanism 42 areelectrically connected through an electrically conductive path (notshown) within device 20.

As shown schematically in FIG. 11, the protection/electronics unit 40may include an overvoltage protection device in the form of a gas tube48, a maintenance termination unit 50 and a ringer simulator (halfringer) 52. It may also include a transient protection in the form ofseries inductances 54 and 56. The inductances should be sufficientlylarge to limit transients while, at the same time, not so large as toseriously limit the bandwidth of the communication link. Therefore, theinductances may be in the range of 50 to 200 microhenries and preferablyin the range of 50 to 150 microhenries and more preferably in the rangeof 50 to 100 microhenries. As would be understood by a person ofordinary skill in the art, the content of the removable unit 40 is notlimited and can accommodate additional electronic components. Theremovable protection/electronics unit 40 has five electrical contacts,as shown schematically in FIG. 11 and as shown in part in FIGS. 5, 6, 12and 13. Contacts 57 and 59 are connected to the telco wires 58 and 60,contacts 61 and 63 are connected to the subscriber wires 62 and 64 andcontact 65 is connected to ground 66.

The removable protection/electronics unit may also have a plug-actuatedswitchable RJ-11 type socket 68 that may be connected to a test phone 69as shown schematically in FIG. 11 and as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Asshown in FIGS. 14-18, the plug actuated switchable RJ-11 type socket 68has a customer contact 78 connected to the subscriber wires, a telcocontact 80 connected to the telco wires and a test contact 82 forconnection to a plug. The test contact 82 does not lie in the same planeas the customer and telco contacts 78 and 80.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show the interaction of the customer, telco and testcontacts. As would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in theart, FIGS. 17 and 18 show one set of customer, telco and test contacts.However, the switchable RJ-11 type socket actually has two sets of suchcontacts to accommodate the pair of telco and subscriber wires.

When the RJ-11 plug is not plugged into the switchable RJ-11 type socket68, the telco contact 80, and thus the telco wires, are connected to thecustomer contact 78, and thus the subscriber wires, and the test contact82 is out of the circuit. When the RJ-11 plug is inserted in socket 68the customer contact 78, and thus the subscriber wires, are disconnectedfrom the telco contact 80, and thus the telco wires, and the telcocontact and telco wires are connected to the test contact 82 in socket68 which mate with contacts in the RJ-11 test plug. Although shown aspart of the replaceable protection/electronics module, the switchableRJ-11 type socket 68 could also be part of the module housing 38.

As shown schematically in FIG. 11, the module housing 38 has a pair oftest points 70 and 72 connected to the telco wires and a pair of testpoints 74 and 76 connected to the subscriber wires.

Modular devices 20 as shown in FIGS. 3-5, 6 and 10 represent oneembodiment of the invention. Devices 20 have one pair of rocker arm wiretermination mechanisms 42 and a replaceable protection/electronics unit40. As would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, themodular device 20 could have two pairs of rocker arm wire terminationmechanisms 42 and a replaceable protection/electronics unit 40 becausesome telephone companies use four wire arrangements. Two pair of rockerarm wire terminations 42 would permit connecting four pairs ofsubscriber wires to the modular device 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 12, 13 and 19-24, there is disclosed details ofthe rocker arm wire termination mechanism 42. Each rocker arm includestwo legs 82 and 84 and a pivot 86 between legs 82 and 84. The pair ofrocker arm terminations 42 are mounted to housing 38 of device 20 at thepivot 86 such that one leg 84 of each rocker arm faces to the front ofthe device and the other leg 82 of each rocker arm faces to the rear ofthe device. Leg 84 has two openings, 88, and a cavity 90 which isgenerally perpendicular to and communicates with openings 88. Openings88 are adapted to receive subscriber wires 62 and 64. As would beunderstood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, some subscriberpremises are wired so that each phone has separate wires connecteddirectly to the modular device. Two openings 88 are provided on eachrocker 42 to permit connecting two subscriber wires in such situations.Cavity 90 in leg 84 is adapted to receive an insulation displacementcontact 92 mounted on housing 38. The modular device 20 housing 38 hasprojections 96. The pair of rocker arm terminations 42 are mounted onthe projections 96 by pivot point 86 such that when the rocker arm ispivoted about point 86 the cavity 90 in each rocker arm is forced downover insulation displacement contact 92 which is mounted on device 20.Each insulation displacement contact 92 has a slot which is adapted toreceive an insulated wire. Contact 92 is connected to an electricalconductor 94 within housing 38. The electrical conductor 94 is alsoconnected to a test point 102.

In use, the rocker arm terminations 42 connect subscriber lines 62 and64 to device 20 using a minimal amount of force and without the need fortools. Rocker arm termination 42a is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 in anopen, disconnected position. A peg 98 extends from projection 96. Rockerarm termination 42 is held in an open position by the peg 98. Whensubscriber wire 62 is inserted into opening 88 and pressure is appliedto leg 84, peg 98 is released, the rocker arm 42 rotates, subscriberwire 62 is driven into the slot in insulation displacement contact 92and contact 92 is forced into cavity 90. Rocker arm termination 42b inFIGS. 19 and 21 is shown in a closed, connected position such that thesubscriber line 62 is connected to the modular device 20. Peg 98 engagesa notch 100 to hold rocker arm termination 42 in the closed position. Inthis position, a telco employee can test the circuit without disturbingthe subscriber line connection by touching test point 102 with anelectrical test probe.

Referring now to FIGS. 12, 13 and 25-34, there is disclosed a camactuated wire termination mechanism 44 which includes a lever 104, apivot point 106, and a main body 108. The housing 38 is provided withprojections 110. Lever 104 is mounted to housing 38 of device 20 at theprojection 110 by pivot point 106. The lever 104 includes anarcurate-shaped slot 112 having two ends 114 and 116. The distance fromslot 112 to pivot point 106 is less at the first end 114 of slot 112than at the second end 116 of slot 112. The main body 108 of terminationmechanism 44 includes a pin 118 which fits in slot 112 of lever 104.Rotating lever 104 causes main body 108 to translate up and down in avertical direction.

The main body 108 also includes openings 120 and 122 and cavities 124and 126 which are perpendicular to and communicate with openings 120 and122. Openings 120 and 122 are adapted to receive wires 128 of differentsizes. As would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art,telephone companies have traditionally used larger gauge wire but morerecently have begun to use smaller gauge wire. Openings 120 and 122 aredesigned to accommodate both sizes of telco wiring. Cavities 124 and 126are adapted to receive an insulation displacement contacts 128 and 130which are mounted on housing 38 of device 20. When lever 104 is rotatedcounterclockwise, the main body 108 is driven downward and insulationdisplacement contacts 128 and 130 are driven into cavities 124 and 126respectively.

In use, the cam actuated wire termination mechanism 44 connects telcowires to modular device 20 using a minimal amount of force and withoutthe need for tools. As shown in FIGS. 25 and 31-34, terminationmechanism 44a is in an open, disconnected position. Telco wires 128 areinserted into openings 120 and pressure is applied to lever 104 in thedirection of force F. The force on lever 104 causes the lever 104 torotate about the pivot point 106 which in turn causes pin 118 to ride inslot 112 from position 114 to position 116. Because the distance betweenthe pivot point 106 and the slot 112 is less at the first end of theslot 114 than at the second end of the slot 116, the force causes themain body 108 downward and forces wires 128 into slots in insulationdisplacement contact 128. Termination mechanism 44b is in the closed,connected position such that the telco lines 128 are connected to themodular device 20.

The projection 110 upon which the cam actuated wire terminationmechanism is mounted to modular device housing 33 is provided with a peg132. In the closed position, peg 132 engages knob 135 to secure thelever 104. Test point 134 is provided so that the telco wire may becontacted by a test probe even when the cam actuated wire terminationmechanism is in the closed position.

As shown in FIG. 5, modular device 20 is mounted to base 16 of thetelephone network interface apparatus 10. Device 20 has a projection 140(FIG. 12 and 13) that engages a corresponding notch on the base 16 tosecure modular device 20 to the base 16. Base 16 has a buss 136 thatruns the length of the telephone network interface apparatus 10 and thatelectrically connects ground terminal 66 on the replaceableprotection/electronics units 40 of the devices 20 with a bolt 138 thatis grounded.

To address environmental concerns, the removable protection/electronicsunits contacts 57, 59, 61, 63 and 65, the test points 70, 72, 74 and 76,the insulation displacement contacts 92, 128 and 120, the buss 136 maybe encased in gels of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,449issued to Raychem Corporation. In addition, the insulation displacementcontacts 92, 128 and 130 of the rocker arm and cam activatedterminations 42 and 44 are mounted to the housing 38 of the modulardevice 20 at pedestals 136 and 138. Pedestals 136 and 138 prevent waterthat may get through the gel from seeping into the housing 38.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the subscriber cover is open, subscribers canaccess the subscriber portion of the modular device 20. However,subscribers may choose to protect their telephone lines from personsseeking illicit access. The subscriber portion of the modular devices 20are covered by individual subscriber security covers 142 which aresecured by padlocks. Security covers 142 limit access to the subscriberportion of devices 20. When the padlock is removed as shown in FIGS. 3,5, 6 and 10, the individual subscriber security covers hinge open athinge 143 and the rocker arm terminations 42 are readily accessible.

Alternately, the security cover 142 can slide to expose the subscriberportion of the modular device 20. As shown in FIGS. 35-37, the telcocover can be provided with channels 144 and the security cover 142 withprojections 146 that ride in channels 144 such that the security covercan slide back and forth. Alternatively, as can be understood byreference to FIGS. 40-42, the individual security cover can wrap aroundthe modular device and can be provided with projections that slide inchannels in the modular device (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 31, 32 and34, when the telco cover 14 is closed, security covers 142 and thepadlocks rest against the edge of the telco cover 14 and cannot slide.When the padlock is removed, the individual security 142 can slide inchannels 144 to expose the subscriber portions of modular device 20. Thecover 142 does not, however, slide so far as to give the subscriberaccess to the replaceable unit 40.

The individual subscriber security covers 142 do not prevent thetelephone company from accessing the subscriber portions of devices 20.As can be understood from FIGS. 4 and 5, when the telco cover is open,the padlock no longer abuts the telco cover and can be removed so thatthe individual security cover 142 can be hinged open. In the case of thesliding individual security covers 142 that ride in channels on thetelco cover, the sliding individual security cover will open with thetelco cover because the individual security cover stays in channels 144when the telco cover is opened as can be understood from FIGS. 36 and37. In the case of the sliding individual security covers 142 that ridein channels on the modular device, when the telco cover is open, thesecurity cover no longer abuts the telco cover and can slide open asshown in FIG. 39.

An alternative embodiment of the modular device 20, may be understood byreference to FIGS. 38-42. Device 20 includes a switch 148 thatelectrically connects the telco wiring to a RJ-11 type socket 166mounted on the base 16 of the telephone network interface apparatus 10.

Modular device 20a as shown in FIG. 40 represent one embodiment of thisalternative embodiment of the invention. Device 20a have one pair ofrocker arm wire termination mechanisms 42 and a replaceableprotection/electronics unit 40. Modular device 20b as shown in FIG. 41represents another embodiment of the alternative embodiment of theinvention. Device 20b has two pairs of rocker arm wire terminationmechanisms 42 and a replaceable protection/electronics unit 40. The twopair of rocker arm wire terminations 27 permit connecting four pairs ofsubscriber wires to device 20b. Modular device 20c as shown in FIG. 42represents still another embodiment of the invention. Device 20c has twopairs of rocker arm terminations 42 and built-in protection and/orelectronics (not shown). As would be understood by a person of ordinaryskill in the art, another alternative embodiment of the invention couldhave one pair of rocker arm terminations 42 and built-in protectionand/or electronics.

As shown in FIGS. 40-42, modular devices 20 are mounted to base 16 ofthe telephone network interface apparatus 10. Base 16 has busses 150,152 and 154 and an upwardly extending inverted L-shaped member 156.Device 20 has notches 150, 160 and 162 having electrical contacts (notshown) to receive and make an electrical connection with the busses 150,152, 154. Device 20 also has a notch 164 which receives the L-shapedmember 156. The device 20 is secured to the base 16 by the interactionof the busses 150, 152 and 154 and the buss receiving notches 158, 160,162, as well as the L-shaped projection 156 and notch 164.

The busses 150, 152 and 154 on base 16 run the length of the telephonenetwork interface apparatus 10 and connect with a conventional RJ-11telephone socket 166. Rocker arm termination 42, replaceableprotection/electronics unit 40, switch 148 and cam actuated termination44 are all electrically connected through an electrically conductivepath (not shown) within housing 38 of device 20. Switch 148 is alsoelectrically connected to busses 150, 152, 154. Switch 148 creates apoint of demarcation between the subscriber wiring and the telco wiringby disconnecting the subscriber lines from the telco lines and byconnecting the telco lines to the busses 150, 152 and 154, which are inturn connected to the socket 166. Thus, the subscriber may test his lineby plugging his telephone into socket 166 and actuating switch 148(which may be a "push-to-test" type switch) and determine if problemsexist in his line or in the telco equipment.

While the present invention has been described by reference to variouspreferred embodiments, it will be understood by persons skilled in theart that many modifications and variations may be made in thosepreferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not belimited to the disclosed preferred embodiments, but that it have thefull scope permitted by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wire termination device for terminatinginsulated wires comprising:(a) a body having an insulation displacementcontact affixed thereto; (b) a lever pivotally mounted to the body, thelever having a curved slot; (c) a first member located within the bodyand capable of translational movement, the first member having at leastone opening located therein for receiving an insulated wire and at leastone cavity located therein for receiving the insulation displacementcontact, the cavity and the opening communicating with each other; and(d) a second member connected to the first member, the second memberbeing adapted to ride within the curved slot of the lever such thatrotational movement of the lever about its pivot point causestranslational movement of the first member, thereby forcing theinsulated wire into engagement with the insulation displacement contact.2. The wire termination device of claim 1 wherein the distance betweenthe pivot point and the second member varies as the lever is rotatedabout the pivot point and the second member moves within the curvedslot.
 3. The wire termination device of claim 1 wherein the opening andcavity are perpendicular to each other.
 4. The wire termination deviceof claim 1 wherein the body has a second insulation displacement contactaffixed thereto, the first member has a second opening located thereinfor receiving a second insulated wire and a second cavity locatedtherein for receiving the second insulation displacement contact, thesecond cavity and second opening communicating with each other.
 5. Thewire termination device of claim 4 wherein the second opening and secondcavity are perpendicular to each other.
 6. The wire termination deviceof claim 1 further including at least one test point electricallyconnected to the insulation displacement contact, the test point beingsuitable for use with an electrical test probe.
 7. The wire terminationdevice according to claim 1 further including a latch to secure thelever arm after it has been rotated to the position for terminating thewire.